Compatibility adapter and compatibility processing method

ABSTRACT

A compatibility adapter configured for connection to an external connection terminal of a new-generation game device is provided. An old-generation processor unit is a processor unit compatible with the processing function of an old-generation game device. When it is determined that the type of a recording medium storing application software is for the old-generation game device, a hub receives data, which has been input to the new-generation game device, from the new-generation game device via the external connection interface. Data extracted from a received packet is supplied to the old-generation processor unit and processed accordingly. The hub supplies the processed data to the new-generation game device via the external connection interface.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a compatibility adapter device,connected to a new-generation entertainment device, and a compatibilityprocessing method that provide for downward compatibility.

BACKGROUND ART

High-quality graphics find increasingly widespread use. For example,personal computer or dedicated game devices run applications like gamesor simulation that uses high-quality three-dimensional graphics or playback video content in which live action and computer graphics areblended.

Improvement in the technology of graphical presentation in personalcomputers and game devices is largely due to improvement in computingpower and image processing capability achieved by the development ofCPUs and GPUs (Graphics Processing Unit). In order to improve graphicperformance, chip vendors and hardware manufacturers are exercisingefforts to develop graphic chips specifically designed for renderingfunctions. As a result, graphic chips that incorporate advancedrendering functions are developed one after another, promising futureadvances and expandability of graphic system. Further, softwaretechnology as well as hardware technology is blended in order to achieveeven higher graphics. For improvement of rendering quality, it isimportant to efficiently utilize high-performance rendering functions ofgraphic chips by taking full advantage of software technology.

Meanwhile, in addition to ensuring advancement in graphic systems,flexibility of providing for compatibility with old-generationprogramming languages and supporting various video output formats orprotocols is called for in the development of graphic chips.

Patent document No. 1 discloses an entertainment device capable ofrunning software for an old type.

[patent document No. 1] JP 2001-314644

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

Many of the users of game devices available on the market with anew-generation graphic processor or multiprocessor expect downwardcompatibility capable of running game titles for an old model as well asgame titles for a new model. New models may be provided with downwardcompatibility by having at least part of the old-generation processorsystem installed. This will, however, cause a disadvantage of increasingthe product cost. Users who do not use game titles for an old model donot need downward compatibility functions and do not want to be forcedto buy expensive products. At least part of the processing capability ofthe old-generation processor system may be emulated by the processor ofa new model on a software basis. A problem is that the processorperformance may often be insufficient to emulate the graphic operation.

In this background, a purpose of the present invention is to provide acompatibility adapter device capable of providing an entertainmentdevice with downward compatibility by being connected to theentertainment device.

[Means to Solve the Problem]

In order to resolve the above problems, a compatibility adapter deviceaccording to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: anexternal connection interface configured to be connected to an externalconnection terminal of a new-generation entertainment device; acompatibility processor unit configured to be compatible with theprocessing function of an old-generation entertainment device; and acontrol unit configured to receive data, which has been input to thenew-generation entertainment device, from the new-generationentertainment device via the external connection interface, when it isdetermined that the type of a recording medium storing applicationsoftware is for the old-generation entertainment device, to supply thedata to the compatibility processor unit, and to transmit the dataprocessed by the compatibility processor unit to the new-generationentertainment device via the external connection interface.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a compatibilityprocessing method. The compatibility processing method is adapted for acompatibility adapter device connected to an external connectionterminal of a new-generation entertainment device in order to providethe new-generation entertainment device with downward compatibility withan old-generation entertainment device, and comprises: receiving data,which has been input to the new-generation entertainment device, fromthe new-generation entertainment device via an external connectioninterface, when it is determined that the type of a recording mediumstoring application software is for the old-generation entertainmentdevice; supplying the input data as received to a compatibilityprocessor unit compatible with the processing function of theold-generation entertainment device, and transmitting the data processedby the compatibility processor unit to the new-generation entertainmentdevice via the external connection interface.

Optional combinations of the aforementioned constituting elements, andimplementations of the invention in the form of methods, processors,apparatuses, systems, computer programs, and data structure may also bepracticed as additional modes of the present invention.

ADVANTAGE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

According to the embodiment, an entertainment device can be providedwith downward compatibility function easily by connecting the device toa compatibility adapter device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an old-generation game device;

FIG. 2 shows a new-generation game device according to the firstembodiment and a compatibility adapter connected to the game device;

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the compatibility adapter of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the compatibility processing methodaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing how the compatibility process by thecompatibility adapter proceeds in detail;

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the compatibility adapter according tothe second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the compatibility processing methodaccording to the second embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing how the compatibility process by thecompatibility adapter proceeds in detail.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an old-generation game device 100. Theold-generation game device 100 includes a DVD decoder 110, a soundprocessor 120, an I/O processor 130, a main processor 140, and agraphics processor 150.

The DVD decoder 110 and the sound processor 120 are connected to the I/Oprocessor 130 via an internal bus 160.

The I/O processor 130 and the main processor 140 are connected to eachother, and the main processor 140 and the graphics processor 150 arealso connected to each other.

The DVD decoder 110 demodulates a reproduced signal read from a disk 102such as a CD and a DVD, and supplies the demodulated data to the I/Oprocessor 130. The sound processor 120 decodes and reproduces audio dataand outputs the data to a speaker.

The I/O processor 130 delivers various data supplied from the DVDdecoder 110 to the main processor 140. The I/O processor 130 isconnected to I/O devices such as a game device controller 106 and amemory card 104 via a serial interface 170.

The I/O processor 130 supplies the input data from the game devicecontroller 106 controlled by the user to the main processor 140, andsupplies the vibration data etc. that the main processor 140 generatesto the game device controller 106. The I/O processor 130 also controlsthe operation of reading and writing data in the memory card 104performed by the main processor 140.

The I/O processor 130 has an interface of Ethernet (registeredtrademark) or USB (Universal Serial Bus), and supplies an IP packet anda USB signal to the main processor 140, respectively.

The main processor 140 runs software stored in the disk 102, andperforms predetermined arithmetic processing. The graphics processor 150has a three-dimensional rendering function, performs a rendering processaccording to a direction from the main processor 140, generates framedata, and outputs a video signal to the display.

FIG. 2 shows a new-generation game device 300 and a compatibilityadapter 200 connected to the game device. The new-generation game device300 is a game device with the latest processor system built in. A gamedevice controller 306 and a memory card 304 are connected to thenew-generation game device 300. The disk drive of the new-generationgame device 300 reads software such as a game, from a disk 302 such as aDVD.

The new-generation game device 300 is not compatible with theold-generation game device 100 of FIG. 1 and cannot run a game title foran old model. Therefore, in order to give downward compatibility to thenew-generation game device 300, the compatibility adapter 200 isconnected via a network connection cable 202. The compatibility adapter200 is a compatibility processing unit with at least a part of functionof the old-generation game device 100 of FIG. 1. The compatibilityadapter receives data from the new-generation game device 300 via thenetwork connection cable 202, performs a compatibility process, andreturns a processing result to the new-generation game device 300.

The new-generation game device 300 can authenticate the disk inserted inthe disk drive, and can identify whether the disk is for a new model orfor an old model based on the disk type. If the disk 302 is for an oldmodel, the new-generation game device 300 reads a game program for anold type from the disk 302. The game device controller 306 and thememory card 304 of the new-generation game device 300 are used for inputand output. As regards arithmetic processing, downward compatibility isachieved by using the compatibility function of the compatibilityadapter 200.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the compatibility adapter 200. Thecompatibility adapter 200 has a power supply adapter 206 and two networkconnection terminals 208 and 209. The first network connection terminal208 is connected to the network connection terminal of thenew-generation game device 300 using the network connection cable 202.The second network connection terminal 209 is connected to a routerusing a network connection cable 203.

The compatibility adapter 200 includes an ASIC (Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit) 210, an old-generation processor unit 230, agraphics processor 238, a memory 240, and a flash memory 242.

The old-generation processor unit 230 includes a main processor 232, anI/O processor 234, and a sound processor 236. These components areequivalent to the main processor 140, the I/O processor 130, and thesound processor 120 of the old-generation game device 100 of FIG. 1,respectively, and provide the arithmetic processing function of theold-generation game device 100.

The graphics processor 238 is equivalent to the graphics processor 150of the old-generation game device 100 of FIG. 1 and provides therendering function of the old-generation game device 100.

The ASIC 210 is an application-specific integrated circuit provided forglobal control of the compatibility adapter 200 and includes a hub 212,an encryption section 214, a CPU/DMA/MAC 216, a system controller 218,and a boot ROM 220.

The system controller 218 performs systems control such as fan control,voltage control, and temperature monitoring. A boot code for startingthe compatibility adapter 200 is stored in the boot ROM 220, and thecompatibility adapter 200 reads the boot code from the boot ROM 220 atpower-on and is started accordingly.

The hub 212 has two ports, which are connected to the first and secondnetwork connection terminals 208 and 209. The data transmitted from theold-generation game device 300 is input to the first port of the hub 212via the network connection cable 202 connected to the first terminal208, decrypted by the encryption unit 214, processed by the CPU/DMA/MAC216, and supplied to the I/O processor 234 of the old-generationprocessor unit 230.

The data generated by the old-generation processor unit 230 or thegraphics processor 238 is turned into packets by the CPU/DMA/MAC 216,decrypted by the encryption unit 214, output from the first port of thehub 212, and transmitted to the new-generation game device 300 via thecable 202 connected to the first terminal 208.

The data transmitted by the new-generation game device 300 to anexternal network is input to the first port of the hub 212 via the cable202 connected to the first terminal 208, output from the second port viathe hub 212, and transmitted to the router via the network connectioncable 203 connected to the second terminal 209. The data received by thenew-generation game device 300 from an external network is input to thesecond port via the cable 203 connected to the second terminal 209,output from the first port via the hub 212, and transmitted to thenew-generation game device 300 via the cable 202 connected to the firstterminal 208.

Thus, data communication between the new-generation game device 300 andthe compatibility adapter 200 and data communication between thenew-generation game device 300 and an external network can beindependent of each other. Therefore, the new-generation game device 300can exchange data with the compatibility adapter 200 to perform acompatibility process, even while the new-generation game device 300 isexchanging data with an external network, thereby preventing a delay inthe compatibility process from occurring due to network communication.

Another example of network connection will be described. When a gametitle supporting a network and adapted for an old model is run,arithmetic processing is performed by using the compatibility functionof the compatibility adapter 200, and the data is input and outputbetween the new-generation game device 300 and the compatibility adaptervia the first port of the hub 212. On the other hand, when datacommunication with an external network is required in the game titleconcerned, the data is exchanged via the second port of the hub 212.

Still another example of network connection will be described. Whilerunning a game title for an old model using the compatibility functionof the compatibility adapter 200, the new-generation game device 300 maydownload a content, etc. in the background. In this case, the contentdata downloaded from an external server is input o the second port ofthe hub 212, output from the first port via the hub 212, and received bythe new-generation game device 300.

The hub 212 may have a priority control function that assigns a band sothat priority may be given to the data communication between thenew-generation game device 300 and the compatibility adapter 200 overthe data communication between the new-generation game device 300 and anexternal network. The priority band assignment control may be exercisedaccording to the game title. Basically, a band is assigned to thecommunication of game data between the new-generation game device 300and the compatibility adapter 200 in preference to the datacommunication between the new-generation game device 300 and an externalnetwork. The order of priority in band assignment may be changed for aspecific game title. Alternatively, band assignment may be dynamicallychanged using the privilege of the system software of the new-generationgame device 300.

The encryption unit 214 performs an encryption process for maintainingthe privacy of the communication between the new-generation game device300 and the compatibility adapter 200, and also performs a process ofdecoding the encrypted communication.

For compatibility with the old model, the signal read from a disk in thenew-generation game device 300 and the data input via the input deviceare taken out from the new-generation game device 300 and input to thecompatibility adapter 200 via the network connection cable 202. The dataprocessed by the old-generation processor unit 230 and the graphicsprocessor 238 of the compatibility adapter 200 is again taken out fromthe compatibility adapter 200 and input to the new-generation gamedevice 300 via the network connection cable 202. Thus, since the datathat should otherwise be exchanged via the internal bus of a game deviceis transmitted and received via a network between the new-generationgame device 300 and the compatibility adapter 200, encryption formaintaining the privacy of data is needed from the viewpoint ofpreventing hacking.

The encryption unit 214 decodes the encrypted data transmitted from thenew-generation game device 300 and encrypts the data processed by theold-generation processor unit 230 and the graphics processor 238 inorder to transmit the data to the new-generation game device 300.

The CPU/DMA/MAC216 is a control unit having the function of a CPU, a DMA(Direct Memory Access), and MAC (Media Access Control). The memoryaccess function is implemented by the memory controller 222, whichcontrols access to the memory 240, and the flash memory controller 224,which controls access to the flash memory 242. MAC provides functionssuch as packetization and error detection for transmission and receptionof data over a network. Also built in is a DVD decoder emulator 226,which emulates the DVD decoder 110 of the old-generation game device 100of FIG. 1 by software.

The DVD decoder emulator 226 demodulates the reproduced signal that thenew-generation game device 300 reads from the disk 302. If the DVDdecoder of the new-generation game device 300 demodulates the reproducedsignal, the data produced by the demodulation will be of a large volumeso that it could take time to transmit the data to the compatibilityadapter 200 via a network and increase latency to return the datasubjected to compatibility processing to the new-generation game device300.

For example, the signal speed will be about 44 Mbps when the DVD signalis not demodulated but will be increased to 1168 Mbps when the DVDsignal is demodulated.

Therefore, it is realistic to acquire the reproduced signal that the DVDdecoder of the new-generation game device 300 reads from the disk 302before demodulating the signal and to transmit it to the compatibilityadapter 200 via a network. The DVD decoder emulator 226 is built in thecompatibility adapter 200 so that the compatibility adapter 200 isconfigured to demodulate the reproduced signal transmitted from thenew-generation game device 300.

The graphics processor 238 is connected to the main processor 232, runsa rendering process directed by the main processor 232, and gives videodata to the CPU/DMA/MAC 216.

A serial interface 252, a USB interface 254, an Ethernet (registeredtrademark) interface 256, and an internal bus 250 are provided betweenthe CPU/DMA/MAC 216 and the I/O processor 234 so as to carry input andoutput data of the game controller or the memory card, USB data, networkdata, and internal bus data, respectively. These interfaces are requiredin order to provide the compatibility adapter 200 with the function ofthe I/O processor 130 of the old-generation game device 100.

The sound processor 236 supplies reproduced audio data to theCPU/DMA/MAC 216.

The compatibility process by the compatibility adapter 200 will bedescribed by referring to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing how the compatibility process proceeds inthe new-generation game device 300 and the compatibility adapter 200.

The new-generation game device 300 authenticates the disk 302 insertedin the disk drive and determines whether the disk 302 is for a new modelor for an old model (S10). If the disk 302 is for a new model (N inS10), the new-generation game device 300 operates in the normal mode andreads a game program from the disk 302 and runs the game (S38).

If the disk 302 is for an old model (Y in S10), the disk drive of thenew-generation game device 300 reads the disk 302 and acquire areproduced signal (S11). A reproduced signal is supplied to the internalbus in the new-generation game device 300. The new-generation gamedevice 300 acquires the internal bus signal (S12).

The new-generation game device 300 acquires the controller signal inputfrom the game device controller 306 (S14) and acquires the data inputand output in the memory card 304 (S16). Subsequently, thenew-generation game device 300 superimposes the internal bus signal,various data including controller data and memory card data (S18) ontoeach other, and encrypts the superimposed signal and data (S20).Subsequently, the signal encrypted for transmission over a network isturned into IP packets and transmitted to the compatibility adapter 200via the network connection cable 202 (S22).

The compatibility adapter 200 receives the IP packet from thenew-generation game device 300 and runs a compatibility process (S40).The compatibility process by the compatibility adapter 200 will bedescribed in detail in FIG. 5.

The new-generation game device 300 receives the data subjected to thecompatibility process in the form of an IP packet from the compatibilityadapter 200 via the network (S24).

The new-generation game device 300 decodes the encrypted IP packet thusreceived (S26). The new-generation game device 300 retrieves varioussignals isolated from each other by carrying out packet processing onthe decoded signal, and places the signals on the bus (S28). Thereby,the controller signal, the data to be output to the memory card, theaudio signal, the video signal, etc. are retrieved. The new-generationgame device 300 outputs sound and video (S30).

The new-generation game device 300 vibrates the game device controller306 in accordance with the controller signal (S32). The new-generationgame device 300 also writes the data to be output to the memory cardinto the memory card 304 (S34).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing how the compatibility process by thecompatibility adapter 200 proceeds in detail.

The hub 212 of the compatibility adapter 200 receives the IP packet fromthe new-generation game device 300 (S42), and the encryption unit 214decodes the encrypted packet (S44). Subsequently, the CPU/DMA/MAC 216subjects the decoded packet to packet processing. The CPU/DMA/MAC216isolates the decoded signals and feeds the signals to respective buses(S46). Thereby, the controller signal, the data to be output to thememory card, the audio signal, the video signal, etc. are retrieved.

The DVD decoder emulator 226 of the new-generation game device 300receives the reproduced signal read from the disk 302 and demodulatesthe signal (S48).

The I/O processor 234 receives the signals from the CPU/DMA/MAC 216 anddelivers the signals to the main processor 232 (S50).

The main processor 232 performs computation based on the received dataand outputs the result to the graphics processor 238 and the soundprocessor 236 (S52).

The graphics processor 238 delivers video data to the CPU/DMA/MAC 216,the sound processor 236 delivers sound data to the CPU/DMA/MAC 216, andthe CPU/DMA/MAC 216 compresses the video output of the graphicsprocessor 238 (S54).

The CPU/DMA/MAC 216 superimposes the various data onto each other andencrypts the blended data (S60). Subsequently, the CPU/DMA/MAC 216 turnsthe encrypted data into IP packets and transmits the packetized data tothe new-generation game device 300 via the hub 212 (S62). Thetransmitted data includes controller data for vibrating the game devicecontroller 306 and memory card data to be written in the memory card304.

In the compatibility process by the compatibility adapter 200, thedifference in clock frequency between the new-generation game device 300and the compatibility adapter 200 may pose a problem. If the clockfrequency of the compatibility adapter 200 is smaller than the clockfrequency of the new-generation game device 300, displacement occursbetween the cycle of frames rendered by the graphics processor 238 ofthe compatibility adapter 200 and the cycle of frames that thenew-generation game device 300 displays on the display. When this gap isaccumulated exceeding predetermined permitted time, the gap may becanceled by skipping frames rendered by the graphics processor 238 ofthe compatibility adapter 200 so as to drop frames. The CPU/DMA/MAC 216of the compatibility adapter 200 or the processor of the new-generationgame device 300 may determine the rate at which to skip frames based onthe difference in the clock frequency, and may run the process ofskipping frames accordingly.

A surplus computing power is created in the new-generation game device300 by leaving the compatibility process to the compatibility adapter200. The normal upconverting process is performed using the surpluscomputing power. However, in order to reduce the delay due to thecompatibility process as small as possible, the new-generation gamedevice 300 may output the non-upconverted data for rendered frames,omitting the upconverting process usually performed. An upconvertingprocess is a process whereby the quality of the output image data isimproved, the frame rate and/or the spatial resolution is increased inorder to adapt to the resolution of the display. An upconverting processincreases the time before the image is output. When it takes time forthe new-generation game device 300 to process the data received from thecompatibility adapter 200, it will become difficult for thenew-generation game device 300 to receive the result of arithmeticprocessing from the compatibility adapter 200 within one frame and tooutput to the display. By omitting an upconverting process, thearithmetic processing result can be received within one frame and outputto the display.

As described above, the embodiment is configured such that thecompatibility adapter 200 is externally connected to the new-generationgame device 300 to provide the new-generation game device 300 withdownward compatibility. To run software for an old model, input andoutput through the game device controller or the memory card areimplemented by using the input and output device as connected to thenew-generation game device 300, and arithmetic processing can beexecuted by the compatibility adapter 200. In this way, thenew-generation game device 300 can run a game application for an oldmodel by using the same game machine controller 306 or the same memorycard 304 as used in an application for a new model.

Where the processing capability of the processor of the new-generationgame device 300 is not sufficient to emulate the arithmetic function ofthe old-generation game device on a software basis, the inventivefeature is particularly advantageous in that the arithmetic processingfunction of the hardware of the compatibility adapter 200 is exploitedto achieve the compatibility function without reducing the processingspeed. Graphics processing requires particularly heavy processing powerso that it is difficult to achieve compatibility only by software-basedemulation. Thus, the compatibility function embodied on hardware such asthe compatibility adapter 200 should be made available.

According to the embodiment, users will enjoy the benefit of costefficiency because only those users wishing to use a game title for anold model need purchase the compatibility adapter 200 and connect to thenew-generation game device 300 via the network.

So long as the signal transfer speed between the new-generation gamedevice 300 and the compatibility adapter 200 is sufficiently high andthe processing delay is sufficiently small, substantial flexibility canbe exercised in assigning the task of arithmetic processing to thenew-generation game device 300 and the compatibility adapter 200. Forexample, only video processing may be assigned to the compatibilityadapter 200, or the data produced by demodulating a disk signal in thedisk drive of the new-generation game device 300 may be supplied to thecompatibility adapter 200.

Communication between the new-generation game device 300 and thecompatibility adapter 200 may not necessarily be achieved by using anetwork like an Ethernet (registered trademark) so long as the signaltransmission speed is sufficiently high and the latency is sufficientlysmall. For example, a bus interface, such as USB, for connecting aperipheral device may be used. In the second embodiment, a descriptionwill be given of using USB for communication between the new-generationgame device 300 and the compatibility adapter 200.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the compatibility adapter 200according to the second embodiment. The difference from thecompatibility adapter 200 of the first embodiment is that thenew-generation game device 300 and the compatibility adapter 200 areconnected by a USB connection cable 201, and a USB unit 211 is providedinstead of the hub 212.

The data transmitted from the new-generation game device 300 is input tothe USB connection terminal 207 via the USB connection cable 201,processed in the USB unit 211, and delivered to the encryption unit 214.The USB unit 211 outputs the data that should be transmitted to thenew-generation game device 300 from the USB connection terminal 207.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the compatibility processing methodaccording to the second embodiment.

The new-generation game device 300 authenticates the disk 302 insertedin the disk drive and determines whether the disk 302 is for a new modelor for an old model (S110). If the disk 302 is for a new model (N inS110), the new-generation game device 300 is operated in the normal modeand reads a game program from the disk 302 and runs the game programaccordingly (S138).

If the disk 302 is for an old model (Y in S110), the disk drive of thenew-generation game device 300 reads the disk 302 (S111) and acquiresthe reproduced signal supplied to the internal bus (S112).

The new-generation game device 300 acquires the controller signal inputfrom the game device controller 306 (S114) and acquires the data inputand output in the memory card 304 (S116). Subsequently, thenew-generation game device 300 superimposes the internal bus signal,various data including controller data and memory card data onto eachother (S118). The data for transmission thus superimposed is encrypted(S120), converted into a USB signal, and transmitted to thecompatibility adapter 200 via the USB connection cable 201 (S122).

The compatibility adapter 200 receives the USB signal from thenew-generation game device 300 and runs a compatibility process (S140).The compatibility process by the compatibility adapter 200 will bedescribed in detail in FIG. 8.

The new-generation game device 300 receives the data subjected to thecompatibility process in the form of a USB signal from the compatibilityadapter 200 (S124).

The new-generation game device 300 decodes the encrypted USB signal thusreceived (S126), isolates and retrieves the respective signals, andplaces the signals on the bus (S128). Thereby, the controller signal,the data to be output to the memory card, the audio signal, the videosignal, etc. are retrieved.

The new-generation game device 300 outputs sound and video (S130). Thenew-generation game device 300 vibrates the game device controller 306in accordance with the controller signal (S132). The new-generation gamedevice 300 also writes the data to be output to the memory card into thememory card 304 (S134).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing how the compatibility process in S140 bythe compatibility adapter 200 proceeds in detail.

The USB unit 211 of the compatibility adapter 200 receives the USBsignal from the new-generation game device 300 (S142), and theencryption unit 214 decodes the encrypted USB signal (S144). TheCPU/DMA/MAC 216 isolates the decoded signals and feeds the signals torespective buses (S146). Thereby, the controller signal, the data to beoutput to the memory card, the audio signal, the video signal, etc. areretrieved.

The DVD decoder emulator 226 of the new-generation game device 300receives the reproduced signal read from the disk 302 and demodulatesthe signal (S148).

The I/O processor 234 receives the signals from the CPU/DMA/MAC 216 anddelivers the signals to the main processor 232 (S150).

The main processor 232 performs computation based on the received dataand outputs the result to the graphics processor 238 and the soundprocessor 236 (S152).

The graphics processor 238 delivers video data to the CPU/DMA/MAC 216,the sound processor 236 delivers sound data to the CPU/DMA/MAC 216, andthe CPU/DMA/MAC 216 superimposes the video signal and the audio signalonto each other (S154).

The encryption unit 214 encrypts the superimposed data for transmissionand delivers the encrypted data to the USB unit 211 (S156). The USB unit211 transmits the USB signal to the new-generation game device 300(S158). The transmitted data includes controller data for vibrating thegame device controller 306 and memory card data to be written in thememory card 304.

Described above is an explanation based on an exemplary embodiment. Theembodiment is intended to be illustrative only and it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that various modifications to constitutingelements and processes could be developed and that such modificationsare also within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

100 old-generation game device, 102 disk, 104 memory card, 106 gamedevice controller, 110 DVD decoder, 120 sound processor, 130 I/Oprocessor, 140 main processor, 150 graphics processor, 200 compatibilityadapter, 201 USB connection cable, 202 network connection cable, 206power supply adapter, 210 ASIC, 211 USB unit, 212 hub, 214 encryptionunit, 216 CPU/DMA/MAC, 226 DVD decoder emulator, 230 old-generationprocessor unit, 232 main processor, 234 I/O processor, 236 soundprocessor, 238 graphics processor, 240 memory, 242 flash memory, 300new-generation game device, 302 disk, 304 memory card, 306 game devicecontroller

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be used as a compatibility adapter deviceexternally connected to an entertainment device.

1. A compatibility adapter device comprising: an external connectioninterface configured to be connected to an external connection terminalof a new-generation entertainment device; a compatibility processor unitconfigured to be compatible with the processing function of anold-generation entertainment device; and a control unit configured toreceive data, which has been input to the new-generation entertainmentdevice, from the new-generation entertainment device via the externalconnection interface, when it is determined that the type of a recordingmedium storing application software is for the old-generationentertainment device, to supply the data to the compatibility processorunit, and to transmit the data processed by the compatibility processorunit to the new-generation entertainment device via the externalconnection interface.
 2. The compatibility adapter device according toclaim 1, further comprising an emulator unit configured to demodulate areproduced pre-demodulation signal read from the recording medium,wherein, when the type of the recording medium storing applicationsoftware is for the old-generation entertainment device, the controlunit receives the reproduced pre-demodulation signal that has been readfrom the recording medium in the disk drive of the new-generationentertainment device from the new-generation entertainment device viathe external connection interface, supplies the received signal to theemulator unit, and supplies the data demodulated by the emulator unit tothe compatibility processor unit.
 3. The compatibility adapter deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the external connection interface is anetwork interface and is provided with a hub having a first port forcommunicating with the new-generation entertainment device and a secondport for communicating with an external network, wherein data exchangedbetween the new-generation entertainment device and the compatibilityadapter device is packetized and is transmitted and received via thehub, wherein data to be transmitted from the new-generationentertainment device to the external network is input to the first portof the hub and output from the second port of the hub, and wherein datato be received by the new-generation entertainment device from theexternal network is input to the second port of the hub and output fromthe first port of the hub.
 4. The compatibility adapter device accordingto claim 1, wherein the external connection interface is a bus interfacefor connecting a peripheral device, and data to be exchanged between thenew-generation entertainment device and the compatibility adapter deviceis converted into a signal adapted to a bus interface standard beforebeing transmitted and received via the bus interface.
 5. Thecompatibility adapter device according to claim 1 4, wherein thecompatibility processor unit delivers processed video data to thecontrol unit without upconverting the rendered video data.
 6. Thecompatibility adapter device according to claim 1, wherein one or moreframes rendered by the compatibility processor unit are skipped in orderto cancel displacement in the cycles of frames due to difference in theclock frequencies of the new-generation entertainment device and theold-generation entertainment device.
 7. A compatibility processingmethod adapted for a compatibility adapter device connected to anexternal connection terminal of a new-generation entertainment device inorder to provide the new-generation entertainment device with downwardcompatibility with an old-generation entertainment device, comprising:receiving data, which has been input to the new-generation entertainmentdevice, from the new-generation entertainment device via an externalconnection interface, when it is determined that the type of a recordingmedium storing application software is for the old-generationentertainment device; and supplying the input data as received to acompatibility processor unit compatible with the processing function ofthe old-generation entertainment device, and transmitting the dataprocessed by the compatibility processor unit to the new-generationentertainment device via the external connection interface.
 8. Thecompatibility processing method according to claim 7, furthercomprising: receiving, when the type of the recording medium storingapplication software is for the old-generation entertainment device, areproduced pre-demodulation signal that has been read from the recordingmedium in the disk drive of the new-generation entertainment device fromthe new-generation entertainment device via the external connectioninterface; demodulating the reproduced pre-demodulation signal asreceived, using emulation in the compatibility adapter device; andsupplying data thus demodulated to the compatibility processor unit.